November 2009 Leader’s Guide

Foster an Attitude of Gratitude in Your Family

One easy way to use Take Out in your family faith formation ministry is to offer a monthly series for parents and kids to gather in small faith communities and discuss one article from each month’s issue. The Feasts of All Souls and All Saints along with the Thanksgiving holiday, make November is the perfect month to invite families to a Gratitude Gathering.

How to do it:

Reserve a room in our parish that is large enough to accommodate 25-50 people. Set up tables with 5-7 chairs at each. Having people sit at tables is an easy way to divide them into small groups. For this month’s session, families should be grouped at a table together. Several sets of the discussion questions should be in the middle of each table along with a few copies of that month’s Take Out magazine. You’ll also need a blank piece of paper and some colorful washable markers.

Refreshments are always welcome and need not be fancy or time-consuming to display. Decaf coffee and cookies are usually a welcome after-dinner treat.

Gratitude Gathering

7:00 p.m.  Opening Prayer and Greeting

7:05 p.m. Brief overview of the article to be discussed

7:15 p.m. Refer participants to discussion questions on each table and begin small group discussion (Make sure participants understand that the questions are a beginning for their discussion – they can discuss one of them or all of them. Remember to make room for the movement of the Spirit in these discussions that may take a group in a new or unexpected direction.)

7:30  Guided Activity

We are thankful for…

 At the top of the paper, have each family write their last name and then the header, “We are Thankful for…” Using various colored markers, decide on the top 10 things you are grateful to God for providing your family. (Food, shelter, peace, love, a great parish, friends, grandparents, etc.) Kids should list these on the sheet in front of them and talk about why they are thankful for each of the items.  If possible, laminate the sheets for each family to hang in place of prominence in their home.  Encourage families to refer back to this list when challenges arise or when they are facing personal or familial struggles.

8:00 p.m. Break for refreshments

8:10 p.m. Come together as a large group and discuss article (write important thoughts and contributions on a white board or flip chart). If you’ve separated into two groups, bring the two back together and share responses.

8:30 p.m. Close with prayer or scripture reading (see optional closing prayer at the end of this article)

Discussion Article

"An Attitude of Gratitude," by Lorene Hanley-Duquin, (Take Out magazine, Our Sunday Visitor, November, 2009)

Small Group Questions

1. Why is it important to be thankful in our everyday life?

2. Do you believe that fostering an “attitude of gratitude” can actually have an effect on your health?

3. When have you have forgotten to be thankful, how do you feel?

4. How does Lorene say that gratitude can be an “antidote” to jealousy?  Worry and insecurity?  Sadness and stress?

5. What are some ways your family might become more grateful?

Closing Prayer

Blessed are you, Loving Father,

for all your gifts to us.

Blessed are you for giving us family and friends,

to be with us in times of joy and sorrow,

to help us in days of need,

and to rejoice with us in moments of celebration.

Father,

we praise you for Your Son, Jesus,

who knew the happiness of family and friends,

and in the love of the Holy Spirit,

blessed are You forever and ever.

Amen.

--Catholic Doors Ministry